Chocolate Sauce

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup 2% reduced-fat milk
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
• Dash of salt
• 1/4 cup 60% cacao chocolate chips (such as Ghirardelli)
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

1. 1. Combine first 4 ingredients in a small saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring constantly with a whisk. Remove from heat. Stir in chocolate chips; let stand 1 minute.
2. 2. Cook over medium heat 1 minute or until sauce is smooth and slightly thickened, stirring constantly. Remove pan from heat; stir in vanilla.
3. Orange-Chocolate Variation: Combine 2 (5 x 1–inch) strips orange rind, milk, sugar, and salt; bring to a boil, stirring constantly with a whisk. Remove pan from heat; cover and let stand 10 minutes. Strain milk mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl. Discard solids. Return milk mixture to pan. Add cocoa; proceed with recipe from step 1.
4. Mint-Chocolate Variation: Combine 8 sliced mint leaves, milk, sugar, and salt; bring to a boil, stirring constantly with a whisk. Remove pan from heat; cover and let stand 10 minutes. Strain milk mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl. Discard solids. Add cocoa; proceed with recipe from step 1.
5. Mexican Chocolate Variation: Add 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon to milk mixture. Add 1 teaspoon instant espresso granules with chocolate chips.